Jam tarts are one of those timeless recipes that never go out of style. With just a handful of simple ingredients, they’re the perfect bake to try with kids—easy enough for little hands to help with rolling and filling, yet delicious enough to please the whole family. Whether you use raspberry jam, lemon curd, or a mix of different fillings, these classic tarts are a fun and nostalgic treat for any occasion.
Jam tarts are a classic British bake and one of the easiest recipes to make with children. With just a simple pastry base and a spoonful of jam or curd, you can create a tray of colourful treats that are perfect for parties, after-school snacks, or a nostalgic bake together. Kids love rolling out the dough, cutting shapes, and choosing their favourite fillings, and the result is always delicious.
How to make Jam Tarts with Kids
I think the hardest part of making jam Tarts with kids is waiting for the jam to cool enough so they can taste it! I have to admit, I am partial to a tart made with lemon curd and there is something magical about using lots of different fillings so you get a rainbow of tarts to try.
As I was making these with the boys I didn’t even use egg wash to ensure the pastry crust went golden brown – I am all about priorities when I have a kid in the kitchen! As you can see above we made the jam tarts when we were making a quiche together and used the leftover pastry dough (if you hate rubbing the floor and fats together then use a food processor and blitz for 4 seconds at a time until it resembles breadcrumbs).
Top Tip – Sqirty Jam is so much easier for younger kids and add less than you think!
You don’t have to have a dedicated tart tin. we used our shallowest cake tin and greased it with a little extra butter. Also as a nod to my childhood, we used a fluted round cookie cutter, if you don’t have one then use a glass to cut out the circles.
Jam tarts
Ingredients
- 225 g plain flour
- 125 g cold butter diced
- 1 –2 tablespoons cold water
- 1 egg yolk optional, for richer pastry
- A pinch of salt
- Assorted jams or curds raspberry jam, strawberry, apricot, lemon curd
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan) / 350°F / Gas Mark 4.
- Place the flour and salt into a large bowl. Rub in the butter with your fingertips until the mixture looks like breadcrumbs.
- Stir in the egg yolk if using, then add cold water a little at a time until the dough just comes together.
- Wrap the dough in cling film and chill in the fridge for 20 minutes.
- Lightly flour your work surface and roll out the pastry until about 3mm thick.
- Use a round cookie cutter to cut circles of dough and press them gently into a muffin tin or tart pan.
- Spoon a heaped teaspoon of jam or curd into each pastry case. Avoid overfilling, as the jam will bubble up when baking.
- Bake for 12–15 minutes, until the pastry is golden brown and the jam is bubbling.
- Allow to cool slightly in the tin, then transfer to a wire rack. Remember the jam will be very hot straight from the oven.
- Variations
Recipe Notes
• Puff pastry – use ready-rolled puff pastry for a lighter, flaky version.
• Shortbread crust – for a sweeter, crumbly tart base.
• Different jams – try a mix of raspberry, strawberry, apricot, and lemon curd so each tart is unique.
• Seasonal twist – mincemeat at Christmas, lemon curd at Easter, or berry jams in summer.
Tips for Baking with Kids
• Rolling and cutting the dough is perfect for little hands – let children help choose their favourite cookie cutter shapes.
• Remind children not to overfill with jam to avoid sticky spillovers.
• Supervise closely when using the oven and handling hot tins – jam can stay hotter than the pastry for some time.
• Pastry can be made ahead, wrapped in cling film, and chilled until ready to use.
• For dietary needs, swap flour for a gluten-free blend or use dairy-free butter alternatives.
Final Thoughts
Jam tarts are a timeless bake that brings instant joy. They’re easy enough for children to help with, versatile enough for any celebration, and delicious whether made with classic raspberry jam or a mix of colourful curds. Simple, sweet, and full of nostalgia, they’re the perfect recipe to introduce kids to the fun of baking.
See all the other great J is for Jam recipes from my fellow cooking with kids co-hosts here
- Super Simple Microwave Strawberry Jam on Still Playing School
- Orange Strawberry Jam Surprise Muffins on The Educators’ Spin on It
- Jam and Greek Yogurt Fruit Dip on Sugar Aunts
- Jam and Cream Cheese Bites on Frogs, Snails and Puppy Dog Tails
Comments are closed.